Generations (BVE Routes and Trains)
NYCTBVE has gone through several generations, in terms of graphics and realism. It is definitely interesting to see how we have progressed from our beginnings. Routes must look like, or better than that generation to fall under it. These definitions, however, do not take into account the quality and precision of the work, as the route can be accurate, and use photo-realistic textures, but fail to have the quality appeal of clean looks, and side-by-side photo comparison. This can be seen with oversized/wrongly measured textures, visual glitches, etc. This term was defined by ipaclansite to grade routes based on their graphical appeal after he released the southbound G.
Contents
First Generation
The first generation of NYCTBVE was very simple in terms of graphics, stations weren't detailed, and used very little objects. Every station would look the same, and most of the time you would depend on BVE to tell you where you were. Distances were also inaccurate, but there were limitations during this time, and this was the best we had. First Generation routes are no longer made. One of the most detailed first generation routes is the 7 and the L, which drew the line, and brought us into the second generation of NYCTBVE routes.
As for the trains, The Trains that fall under this generation have no exterior and thus have old sounds
Routes on BVEStation which fall under first generation:
- E Manhattan bound
- S Grand Central Shuttle
- N Queensbound
- G Queensbound
- S Franklin Avenue Shuttle
- 7 Line
- L Line
Trains that currently fall in this
- R62
These routes are from the 2001-2004 era.
Second Generation
The second generation of NYCTBVE obviously got more sophisticated, with new objects, and accurate track distances, and curves. During this time, Phantom909 joined and was the leading force of this new advancement. Second Generation NYCTBVE routes, featured more details, including locations of stairs, benches, trash bins, maps, and unique station walls for each station. Most of our routes fall into the second generation category. Most newer generation routes, usually begin as a second generation as a skeleton, which is then detailed into one of the higher generation level routes.
As for the trains, The Trains that fall under this generation have an exterior and have new sounds but no interior
Routes that currently fall into this category:
- 2 Line
- A Line
- C Line
- S Franklin Avenue Shuttle
Trains That Fall into this Category
- Low-V (by PuertoRican88)
- R1 (by PuertoRican88)
- R10 (By PuertoRican88)
- R15 (by Puertorican88)
- R16 (by Puertorican88)
- R30 (By Puertorican88)
- R33WF (By PuertroRican88)
- PA-5 (By Puertorican88)
- H4 (By Puertorican88)
- H5 (By Puertorican88)
- H6 (By Puertorican88)
- T1 (By Puertorican88)
- TR(Toronto Rocket) (By Puertorican88)
- Note that PuertoRican88's trains fall into this category for low-memory usage and faster loading times to support legacy PC's
BETA Trains (for the time being until interiors are made, however still photorealistic)
- R17 (by CT1660), includes the garbage train variation
- R21/R22 (by CT1660), includes the R17/R21 GEL train
- R33ML & R33WF (by CT1660)
- R68 (by CT1660)
These routes are from the 2004-2007 Era.
Third Generation
The third generation of NYCTBVE gets even more advanced, with digitally redrawn photo textures, along with the accuracy of second generation routes. They may contain real photo textures, but contain more digitally redrawn ones than photos. These routes are significantly more detailed, and visual enhancements compared to its predecessors. These routes usually dont have the visuals of photo-textured routes, but they are close to their photo counterparts. They can be placed side by side to a photo and look comparable. Routes in this generation may have derived from a skeleton, created during the second generation age.
As for the trains, The Trains that fall under this generation have an exterior with better texture and have new sounds. An interior might be included
Routes that fall into this category:
- G Line
Routes that will be third generation:
- 6 Line (border line)
These routes are from the 2007-2009 Era.
Trains That Fall into this Category
- R38 (by DJ Hammers, will be upgraded to 5 ½ generation)
- R142 (by PuertoRican88)
- R143 (by PuertoRican88)
- R160A/B (by PuertoRican88)
- R188 (by PuertoRican88)
- PA 4 (by PuertoRican88)
- All of PuertoRican88's fictional trains
- Note that PuertoRican88's trains fall into this category for low-memory usage and faster loading times to support legacy PC's
Fourth Generation
The fourth generation of NYCTBVE builds upon the third generation, using photo-textures, or photo-drawing hybrids. The hybrids usually contain a mixture of both photo-textures, and digitally redrawn textures. Mostly, they contain more photo-textures than redrawn textures. This takes the third generation to the next level of visual enhancements, and look alot more visually appealing. Routes in this generation may have derived from a skeleton, created during the second generation age. Routes in this category are comparable to their actual photo counterparts like the third generation routes. Routes in this generation are preferable due to their flexibility between photo and drawn textures. They can also feature use of textures from elsewhere and reworked into the route.
As for the trains, The Trains that fall under this generation have an exterior with better texture and have new sounds with interior
Routes that fall into this category:
- B Line (Brooklyn Bound)
- D Line (Brooklyn Bound)
- F Line (Queens Bound)
- H Line (Far Rockaway Bound)
- N Line (Brooklyn Bound)
- Q Line (Brooklyn Bound)
- V Line (Queens Bound)
- W Line (Queens bound)
Routes that will be 4th generation:
- R Line
- 4 Line
- Updated C Line
- E Line (Both Manhattan/Queens Bound)
These routes are from 2008-Present.
Four and a halfth Generation
4.5th generation routes will feature up to 85%+ photo textures, objects, and structures are to be accurately depicted, and the route may also finally feature working safety systems. The tracks, tunnels and columns should also be replaced with photo-realistic ones, as seen in some of the London Underground routes. Anything under this category would classify as a fifth generation route.
Fifth Generation
Routes that are almost incomprehensible compared to their realistic photo counterparts. An example of a route meeting this definition is the Birmingham Cross-City South in development on RailSimRoutes [1] It is not possible for a fictional route to be fifth generation unless it has elements that can be compared to actual photos or locations.
Routes that approach or meet the 5th Generation Standard
- Q
Fifth and a halfth Genration
While this applies for trains made for OpenBVE, they still fall under "Fifth Generation", however, the exterior/interior views have more level of detail and more accurate animation. May be either hand-coded, made in Google Sketchup or Blender, or a hybrid of both.
The 5 1/2 generation trains available for download are:
- R46 by error46146, Rikabs and [CT1660]
- R16 by [CT1660]
- R32 by Mudwrestle
- R38 by DJ Hammers / Mudwrestle
Trains to be 5 1/2 generation:
- IRT SMEE Fleet Exteriors (R12/R14/R15/R17/R21/R22/R26/R28/R29/R33ML/R33WF/R36ML/R36WF) by [CT1660] & Mudwrestle
- The Train Of Many Colors by DJ Hammers, Mr. Railfan and [CT1660]
- R142/R142A by BStyles
- Class 323 (new exterior/interior in development) by RailsimRoutes
- R10 by Mudwrestle
- R11/34 by Mudwrestle
- R27/R30 by Mudwrestle
